Donald S. Schneider

Donald S. Schneider

Head of Human Resources Consulting

Principal of StraightAway Solutions, Human Resources Consulting

Don Schneider is a globally experienced, high energy, results driven, Board-savvy executive with demonstrated experience in transforming and accelerating growth in small to large-cap companies. He has worked for GE, Citicorp, The New York Times Company, Bertelsmann Entertainment, AON, and ADVO, with experience recruiting senior management teams, facilitating mergers and acquisitions, formulating executive compensation and benefits packages, and constructing high performance work teams. His experience spans a vast array of industries, including: financial services, entertainment, consumer, telecommunications, technology, and media. He now leverages this breadth of knowledge to provide Human Resources consulting services through his company StraightAway Solutions, working in coordination with the legal professionals at CR Law Firm. This talented consulting team assists companies of all sizes throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania through in-depth analysis, collaborative solution development, and implementation of highly effective programs and practices that align with key business objectives.

Professional Experience

• Led due diligence/integration teams for eight $300 million acquisitions and divestitures
• Member of an operating committee that grew company revenue from $125 million to $1.1 billion and employees from 1,000 to 5,000 in 40 months. Opened 60 markets, initiated e-commerce businesses, and recruited senior leadership
• Designed executive compensation programs, reduced annual benefit costs by $1.5 million, and hired 2,300 employees in one year below market costs
• Planned and installed shared services center for finance and HR, saving $8 million
• Preserved hi-tech company customer base while negotiating complex Chapter 11 and 7 bankruptcy
• Rebuilt management structure of record label, leading to recovery of $21 million loss
• Directed real estate program (58 locations), built four new manufacturing sites, closed two plants, and standardized offices

Past Employment Positions

• General Electric Company, GE Capital – Real Estate Financial Services Division, Human Resources Manager: 1974 – 1987
• Citicorp North America, Vice President – Human Resources: 1987 – 1988
• Frank B. Hall Insurance Company, Senior Vice President, Human Resources: 1988 – 1993
• McKann-Erickson World Group, Executive Vice President – Director of Human Resources: 2002 – 2004
• ADVO, Inc., Executive Vice President – Chief Administrative Officer: 2004 – 2007
• StraightAway Solutions, Principle: 2007 – Present

Education

• Syracuse University School of Law
  • Juris Doctorate-Labor and Real Estate
• Wharton School
  • Finance for Non-Financial Managers
• SUNY, Buffalo, NY
  • B.S. – Business Administration